Automobile water heater



Jan. 28, 1930.

w. PRusAcKl AUTOMOBILE WATER HEATER Filed Oct. 29, 1928 HAHN - ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES lfi liiilil WALTER PRUSACKI, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI AUTOMOBILE WATER HEATER Application filed October 29, 1928.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in automobile water heaters, the peculiarities of which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The main objects of my invention are to provide means for keeping the water in the engine and radiator of an automobile or other machine, from cooling below operative temperature during a stop in cold weather, or when in a garage subject to low temperature; secondly, means to cause a circulating stream of heated water under such circumstances through a circulating pipe that ordinarily conducts the cooling water; and thirdly, relating to other features herein described 'and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing in which like reference numerals indicate corresponding parts,

The single figure represents an engine block with my improvements applied thereto, partly in section and partly in perspective.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the engine block of an automobile or other machine having an internal combustion engine with a water jacket and connected radiator for cooling the water circulated theret-hrough while running.

My circulating pipe is attached as usual to the engine block by a coupling head 2, and rubber hose connection at the discharge end 3 to the radiator (indicated). Intermediate of the ends of this pipe, I provide a waterheating chamber, preferably by an enlargement l like an elbow in said pipe, and preferably having a removable cover 5 to which is secured a pot 8 containing anelectric heating coil on a frame 7-01 otherwise adapted to heat the water in the adjacent portion of said pipe.

This coil is suitably wired to a source of electricity and controlled by a switch button 8, so as to heat said pot when desired, and thus the water flowing around it.

In the ordinary use of the circulating water while the engine is running, the flow is effected by the usual pump. When the engine is not running, I have provided means to cause the water to circulate,pre-ferably a fan pump having blades 9 mounted inside Serial No. 315,656.

said chamber near the exit passage 10, on a shaft 11 passing through a stuftingbox hearing 12, to a small auxiliary motor 18, suitably wired to a source of electricity, and controlled by a switch button 14L on the dash board of the automobile, or elsewhere.

The fan blades when not operating, allow the water to flow through said chamber under the impulse of the usual pump when the engine is running, and the circulating water system is used for cooling the engine block in the usual manner.

lVhen the engine is stopped in cold weather and the engine is not running, I start the auxiliary motor by operating the button 1%, and the heating coil by the button 8, so as to establish a flow of heated water through my chambered circulating pipe-and thus avoid chilling the engine, or freezing the water, and facilitate starting again. operated to cut out the heating coil and motor on starting the engine again.

An independent battery 15 is preferably used for the motor and heater, and one wire 17 leads from the battery through a switch 16 to the button 8, and the other wire 18 to the other side of the same button, which is thence connected by wires 19 and 20 to the heater coil through a current indicator 21, or otherwise.

A double-contact terminal 22 is provided for cable plug connection,one contact located in the wire 17, and the other in the wire 18. These contacts are connected to the button 14 by wires 23 and 24 respectively, and thence through the indicatoror otherwise-to the auxiliary motor by wires 25 and 26.

The switch 16 is a safety switch and is preferably hidden to lessen the liability of being tampered with. It controls both buttons and must be thrown to contact position before the buttons 8 and 14 can energize the heater and motor respectively from the battery. It should be opened for safety as indicated whci buttons 8 and 14 shut off the heater and au:;- iliary motor; also when a cable plug is ad justed to connect said terminal 22 with an electric circuit in a garage when it is desired The buttons are 7 to keep the circulating Water heated in cold weather.

This terminal can also be used with the battery for cable connection to a lamp in looking up trouble, or making repairs at night out on the road.

Thus my form of circulating pipe is adapted to be used in the usual way for the water-cooling system of the engine, yet can be readily adapted to circulate heated water through the system in cold weather duringstops outside, or in a garage.

I claim:

1. An automobile water heater comprising a circulating pipe connecting engine block and radiator having walls forming an enlargement chamber with stufiing-box bearing, a shaft mounted in said bearing, a fan pump on the inner end of said shaft within said chamber, an auxiliary motor electrically connected for said shaft, and a heating device for said chamber.

2. An automobile water heater for use 7 when automobile is not running comprising a circulating pipe connecting engine block and radiator, an electric heating device for said pipe mounted intermediate or" its ends, a pump for, said circulating pipe, operative means for said pump when automobile is not running, a source of electricity, a terminal contact for said pumpbperative means and heating device, a cable connection from said terminal contact to the source of electricity, controlling buttons and a switch hidden from view and controlling the current from the source of electricity to said heating device and pump-operative means, substantially as described.

3. An automobile water heater comprising a circulating pipe connecting engine block and radiator, an electric heating device mounted intermediate the ends of said pipe, a rotary fan pump located in the said pipe adjacent to the heating pipe and allowing the water to flow between its blades when notrotating and means to operate said pump and cause a flow of water when the automobile is atrest, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature.

WALTER PRUSAGKI. 

